ANKA, the Ivorian eCommerce startup once known as Afrikrea, has been acquired by New York-based Global Shop for an undisclosed amount.
The deal marks a fresh chapter for one of Francophone Africa’s most recognisable tech stories, a platform that helped thousands of African creators sell globally. The company started as Afrikrea in 2016, connecting African designers to buyers across 170 countries. At its peak, it recorded over a million monthly visits and processed more than $60 million in sales.
In 2023, it rebranded to ANKA and shifted to a software-as-a-service model, offering a platform that allowed African entrepreneurs to sell online, get paid internationally, and ship globally. That pivot paid off: the company hit breakeven and earned $4.1 million in 2024.
The deal marks a fresh chapter for one of Francophone Africa’s most recognisable tech stories, a platform that helped thousands of African creators sell globally. The company started as Afrikrea in 2016, connecting African designers to buyers across 170 countries. At its peak, it recorded over a million monthly visits and processed more than $60 million in sales.
In 2023, it rebranded to ANKA and shifted to a software-as-a-service model, offering a platform that allowed African entrepreneurs to sell online, get paid internationally, and ship globally. That pivot paid off: the company hit breakeven and earned $4.1 million in 2024.
But things weren’t always smooth. In May 2024, ANKA shut down its Afrikrea marketplace, blaming inflation, rising costs, and persistent payment challenges.
As part of the acquisition, ANKA’s founders — Moulaye Taboure, Luc B. Perussault Diallo, and Kadry Diallo — have exited, leaving day-to-day operations to Maltida Ceesay and her team. Still, the existing employees will remain, keeping the platform’s Ivorian roots alive even as leadership moves to New York.
With Global Shop’s global reach and ANKA’s deep ties to Africa’s creative economy, the deal looks like a chance to revive the platform’s original vision, helping African creators find their place on the global stage.
Credit: Techpoint Africa
As part of the acquisition, ANKA’s founders — Moulaye Taboure, Luc B. Perussault Diallo, and Kadry Diallo — have exited, leaving day-to-day operations to Maltida Ceesay and her team. Still, the existing employees will remain, keeping the platform’s Ivorian roots alive even as leadership moves to New York.
With Global Shop’s global reach and ANKA’s deep ties to Africa’s creative economy, the deal looks like a chance to revive the platform’s original vision, helping African creators find their place on the global stage.
Credit: Techpoint Africa
